Benjamin & Elizabeth's Wedding Music
Here is some information about the music we have chosen for our ceremony
Processional
From The Carnival of the Animals - Camille Saint-Sæns (1868)
Arranged by James Bloom & Benjamin Palmer
'The Swan' is the 13th movement from The Carnival of the Animals. This is originally an orchestral piece made up of 14 movements, each exploring a different animal. Despite being a well-loved piece today, 'The Swan' is the only movement that Saint-Sæns would allow to be played in public in his lifetime as he thought the remaining movements were too frivolous and would damage his reputation!
'The Swan' was originally written for a cello and two pianos, but has been arranged for most instruments due to its popularity. Today it will be sung by the choir of Christ Church New Mill in an arrangement by James Bloom and Benjamin Palmer.
Sur l'étang moiré de lumière
vogue le cygne majestueux,
vaisseau de neige dont la brise
Gonfle les voiles délicartes.
Au large des rives bruyantes
le cygne glisse, indifférent,
Et n'écoute que le murmure
De l'eau qui frissone sous lui.
Plu loin, des branches penchées
Accueillent sa course paisible;
Et, courbant son col harmonieux,
le cygne las, dans l'ombre bleue
s'en dort.
Over the water, in glistening light
rides forth the swan in full majesty,
ship made of snow, which with breezes
waft on fairy sails all set.
Far away from the noisy shore
glides on the swan with calm disdain.
He only hears the soft melody
Sung by the wavelets around him.
Till at last kind drooping boughs
bid welcome to their gentle guest.
Bending his neck harmoniously,
the weary swan, in the blue shade,
peacefully sleeps.
Lyrics: J. Samm
English Translation: J. N. Schofield
Hymns
Click the title of a hymn to view the sheet music PDF in more detail and in a new tab
The words and harmony may not be the same as in the ceremony
Anthems
Recessional
From Organ Symphony No.5 - Charles-Marie Widor
This is the final movement from Widor's 5th Organ Symphony. Although written as a finale, the Toccata by Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) from his Symphony No. 5 in F minor, Op. 42, No. 1, stands alone as a popular piece suitable for a variety of occasions. Its perpetual 16th-note motion in the right hand, crisp repeated chords in the left hand, and octave-leaping melody in the pedals follow faithfully the distinctive elements of the French organ toccata, in an exhilarating and iconic way.